Life Coaching Tip: Sometimes the most powerful wake-up calls come when we least expect them—like a meteor lighting up the sky on a random Tuesday morning. Moments like these remind us just how unpredictable and fragile life really is, and how little control we actually have. Instead of clinging to the illusion of safety, what if you used that truth to fuel your courage? Life is inherently uncertain—so you might as well live it audaciously.
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Something quite extraordinary happened last Tuesday morning here in Northeast Ohio.
A meteor entered the Earth’s atmosphere over Lake Erie and created a massive sonic boom heard across the state, with reports extending into neighboring states, including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and even parts of Canada.
The meteor, a 6-foot-wide asteroid weighing an estimated 7 tons, was traveling at about 40,000 mph. And as it streaked southward about 34 miles across the region, it began breaking apart.
The breakup released an energy equivalent to about 250 tons of TNT, generating the loud boom that caught my attention as I sat at my desk writing that morning.
My phone lit up like a Christmas tree as people on the Ring Neighborhood app began speculating about what the noise could possibly be.
Earthquake? Thunder? A bomb?
It was unsettling as reports began coming in from outside the region—especially after an earthquake was ruled out.
What in the world? I wondered. My brain couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation.
And then, news of the meteor began to trickle in . . . and I was delighted.
It was such a powerful reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye—with no warning.
I mean, what if the pieces from that meteor had been much bigger and directly hit my neighborhood by the lake?
This may sound a bit weird, but I LOVE reminders from the Universe that our days are not guaranteed—and that the only thing we actually know for certain is that eventually, this ends the same for all of us.
This truth fills me with courage.
It inspires me to stop trying to “play it safe,” because safety is an illusion. It makes no sense to stress over the small stuff or try to control everything in the name of security.
It encourages me to let go of fear and embrace a more adventurous approach to life.
Life is unpredictable, so we might as well engage with it fully, take chances and see what’s possible instead of holding back.
I have two quotes from one of my favorite authors, Jen Sincero, pinned to the bulletin board in my office. Her Badass books always offer an expansive reminder that life is inherently uncertain and short, so we might as well live boldly instead of cautiously.
The first came to mind right after learning that a meteor strike happened so close to home:
“When you remember that you’re on a ball in infinite space with a humongous star of molten fire exploding over your head, and that simply being alive is a near-death experience, the concept of playing it safe suddenly seems as ridiculous as it is.” – Jen Sincero
Zooming out like this—and remembering that life is fragile and unpredictable—is pure gold.
If risk is unavoidable, why limit yourself out of fear?
Playing small or “safe” doesn’t actually protect you in any meaningful way.
Don’t let fear of risk stop you. Life itself is already risky, so you might as well go after what you want.
The second quote is so amazing that my daughter, Shannon, put it on the back of one of her signature jackets for me:
“One of the best things I ever did was make my motto, ‘I just wanna see what I can get away with.’ It takes all the pressure off, puts the punk rock attitude in, and reminds me that life is but a game.” – Jen Sincero
That motto: “I just wanna see what I can get away with,” has helped me live more audaciously.
It’s a reminder to drop the demand to be perfect or to always make the “right” move. Instead, to treat life more like a game.
Adopting this slightly rebellious, curious mindset creates the boldness to try new things, push past boundaries, and stop overthinking every decision.
Sometimes I must remind myself to loosen my grip a bit and to stop treating everything like it’s high-stakes.
So, putting all of this together, here’s what I want to offer you today:
* Stop overvaluing safety and control—they’re illusions anyway.
* Take more risks and explore your potential.
* Loosen up—life isn’t as serious as we make it.
Remember, sister… we can’t eliminate risk anyway, so we might as well live boldly.
Take chances. Explore what you’re capable of. Approach life with both courage and a sense of play instead of constantly holding yourself back.
It’s time to have a little fun around here.
Are you with me?
Or are you still trying to play it safe on a planet where meteors explode overhead on a random Tuesday?
xo Tracy
PS – If this message is hitting home and you know you’re ready to stop playing it safe, I’d love to support you. You can schedule a complimentary consultation above, and we’ll explore what’s possible for you.
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